FACTS-AT A GLANCE

OVERVIEW Tucked within the Topa Topa Mountains in the mystical Ojai Valley, the iconic Ojai Valley Inn continues to redefine luxury, beckoning travelers since its opening in 1923 to the tranquil setting known as “Shangri La.” Located 90 minutes north of Los Angeles in the chic bohemian enclave of Ojai, the resort balances the relaxed glamour of Southern California with reverence for the unspoiled natural beauty of the region for an unrivaled experience that embodies the authentic spirit of Ojai. Sprawled across 220 lush, oak and olive tree-studded acres scented with wild sage and lavender, Ojai Valley Inn offers an abundance of freshly renewed settings, activities and amenities for inspired escapes. New for 2019, the resort introduced The Farmhouse at Ojai Valley Inn, a 20,000 square-foot epicurean event center, connecting world-class food culture, sublime indoor/outdoor settings and bucket list events.

LOCATION & Ojai Valley Inn CONTACT 905 Country Club Road Ojai, CA 93023

Resort: 855-697-8780 I Spa Ojai: 888-SPA-OJAI www.ojaivalleyinn.com I Facebook + Instagram: @ojaivalleyinn

Ojai’s unique east-west orientation attracted the Chumash Indians, the original inhabitants of this area, who revered it as a place of healing. Contemporary spiritual seekers ascribe mystical powers to this valley that they call “The Nest.” Today, the Ojai Valley is a haven for artists, writers and movie stars who find inspiration in its serene beauty.

HISTORY In 1923, Edward Drummond Libbey, a wealthy Ohio glass manufacturer and philanthropist, built a country club and golf course for residents and visitors. He commissioned famed architect Wallace Neff to design the clubhouse in the traditional Spanish Colonial style. Renowned golf course architect George C. Thomas, Jr. designed a course that was hailed as “the cream of Southern California courses.”

Since its beginning in 1923, the Inn has welcomed generations of discriminating travelers, heads of state and movie stars including , , former co-owner and Walt Disney. The lure of Ojai Valley’s beauty was so compelling that used the valley to depict Shangri-La in his classic film, Lost Horizon. Films such as and Katherine Hepburn’s Pat and Mike and the sequel to Chinatown, The Two Jakes, were also filmed on the property.

In 1942, the Inn was transformed into a military training center. After World War II, the Inn was purchased by Don Burger and notable Hollywood investors. It was reopened as the Ojai Valley Inn & Country Club and once more became a popular Hollywood escape.

The Inn was purchased by the Crown family of Chicago in 1985. They undertook a major renovation and expansion of the property in 1986. New rooms were added, the golf course was redesigned, a second swimming pool and fitness center were added and eight new tennis courts opened. At the same time, a 4,800 square foot conference center was built and the dining rooms were modernized. They added a 31,000 square foot luxury spa in the classic Spanish Colonial style in 1997, creating a full resort guest experience.

In 2006, the now AAA Five Diamond property completed a $90 million renovation and Casa Elar was built as a private estate on the property. The 10,000 sq. ft. Tuscan style villa, with spacious grounds and a swimming pool, is popular for celebrity escapes, family reunions and weddings. In 2013, the Ojai Valley Inn celebrated its 90th anniversary and completion of a $5.5 million refreshment of all guest rooms. The new look pays homage to the resort’s location in the heart of Ojai Valley, the unofficial “zen capital” of Southern California.

In 2015, the property introduced a refined lobby design, chic adult pool, a new signature restaurant and a refreshed parlor concept at the Wallace Neff Heritage Bar. A second series of enhancements in 2016 began with the opening of Libbey’s, a fresh artisan market, café and boutique concept, perfectly aligned with the launch of an elegant fleet of custom Linus bicycles. Additional enhancements unveiled in 2017 span a dramatically redesigned arrival experience that offers the feel of being welcomed into a warm and grand estate, the introduction of a luxurious new category of guest accommodations and immersive beekeeping excursions with the unveiling of a new apiary and honey tasting patio.

In 2019, The Inn debuted The Farmhouse at Ojai, the show-stopping, multi-use epicurean and event center designed by nationally acclaimed architect Howard Backen with Backen Gillam Architects.

GUEST ROOMS 303 spacious rooms and suites, most with fireplaces, terraces and spectacular mountain and golf course views. All rooms have king or double beds with Frette linens, LCD flat-screen televisions, high-speed internet and bedside tablets for room service, valet and other services just a touch away.

RATES Starting room rates between $400 to $600 I Suites between $700 to $6,000

ACTIVITIES Year-round activities include golf on the George C. Thomas Jr.-designed 18-hole championship course and unlimited use of the resorts’ driving range, a full-service tennis center with four hard courts, and swimming or lounging at four heated swimming pools and whirlpools.

Camp Oak for children 4-12 offers supervised educational activities with a focus on learning about the Chumash Indians, and outdoor activities in which camp-goers revel in Ojai’s beautiful Mediterranean climate.

Off-property excursions include guided hiking, bird watching tours, artist studio tours, Jeep tours, ocean and lake fishing, surfing and kayak lessons in the Pacific Ocean or nearby Lake Casitas.

Ojai’s unique topography, lying in a valley spanning east to west, sets the stage for the very rare “Pink Moment” when the sun melts away and paints the west-facing bluffs a brilliant, blushing pink. A warm aura of calm emanates, creating the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway.

The Ojai Valley Inn is a pet friendly resort with a variety of amenities for furry members of the family. Special offerings include house made organic dog treats and eco-friendly Harry Barker pet beds.

Discover Ojai Center invites guests to go beyond traditional resort experiences and explore the vast activities available in Ojai and on-property at the Ojai Valley Inn.

Unparalleled epicurean adventure awaits at The Farmhouse at Ojai with a rich calendar of culinary experiences from group instruction to world-class weekends with master classes, demonstrations and dining curated by premiere Farmhouse at Ojai Culinary Ambassador, Chef/Author, Nancy Silverton.

SPA OJAI An award-winning 31,000-square-foot luxury spa with twenty-eight treatment areas, including massage rooms with fireplaces, the legendary Spa Ojai offers customized therapies and treatments to indulge, refocus and revive body and mind.

Two luxurious 1,500 square-foot spa penthouse suites are accessed by private elevator and feature a meditation loft, large terraces, private outdoor whirlpool and fireplaces.

Spa Ojai’s gym is well equipped with a state-of-the-art cardio theater including a fleet of Peloton® streaming-class bicycles, a full selection of weight machines and free weights.

A daily schedule of complimentary mind and body classes includes yoga, meditation, spinning, hula, barre, TRX, HIIT, body conditioning and nutritional wellness talks. Fitness walks are offered daily and full-moon yoga is offered on select nights.

Two pools are located at Spa Ojai, one with guest cabanas for added privacy.

The Artist Cottage and Apothecary at Spa Ojai offers classes in a variety of art mediums and custom blending of spa products.

DINING Olivella: The Inn’s signature dinner restaurant features distinctly California cuisine with Italian influences and a seasonally driven menu that fuses a commitment to valley-grown ingredients with a nod to Italian tradition. The refined dining room serves dinner Wednesday through Sunday evenings.

The Oak: The handsome décor of The Oak is based on architect Wallace Neff's signature Spanish Colonial design of the Inn. Guests may dine inside by the fireplace, or outside on the Oak Terrace overlooking rolling greens of the golf course. The Oak menu includes signature soups, fresh salad and chef’s specialties. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily.

Jimmy’s Pub: A popular “19th hole” stop, this dark-wood paneled pub features wood-fired thin-crusted pizzas, salads, sandwiches and a selection of beers, wines by the glass and cocktails. Golfers, sports enthusiasts and families gather to watch sporting events on the 60” plasma television screens.

Wallace Neff Heritage Bar: The resort’s historic center, this welcoming gathering space is steeped in history yet features contemporary comforts, a courtyard with oversized fire pits and comfortable seating and a handsome lounge with cozy nooks and tables set for board games. Enjoy a seasonal menu of small bites and a Heritage menu of hand crafted cocktails named for legendary silver screen movies that drew inspiration from Ojai.

Indigo Pool & Bar: The luxurious outdoor adult oasis is a chic setting to enjoy thoughtfully prepared small plates, salads and sandwiches that highlight locally sourced ingredients. Coolhaus ice cream sandwiches, handcrafted cocktails, champagnes, wines and craft beers are all refreshing options, designed for a sun-splashed poolside experience. Eight stylish cabanas with custom designed lounge furniture receive personal pool butler service.

Libbey’s: A chic, airy artisan market, café and boutique offering light meals, designs and local gourmet food products bearing a distinctly “Ojai” style and sensibility. Libbey’s is a casually elegant, bright space featuring locally sourced, house made fare throughout the day with expertly prepared espresso beverages; seasonal wraps, salads and sandwiches; freshly baked pastries and a pop-up of McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream.

Spa Café: Located near one of Spa Ojai’s swimming pools, this indoor-outdoor café serves light Mediterranean fare for lunch. Salads, smoothies, sandwiches and desserts are available all afternoon. Guests may also enjoy a cappuccino and croissant for breakfast. Healthy offerings include dishes made with organic, locally grown produce, and fresh-pressed fruit and vegetable juices.

Pixie Café: This beautifully appointed restaurant is a casual dining option for adults at the Pixie Pool. Guests enjoy tapas, sandwiches, burgers and wraps daily in this picturesque setting.

AFFILIATIONS Associated Luxury Hotels International Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection International Spa Association AAA-Five Diamond Property Historic Hotels of America

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MEDIA CONTACT: Murphy O’Brien Public Relations Jennifer Evans Gardner | Niki Jensen | Shelby Sabat [email protected] (310) 453-2539